Carson Williams homers in his big league debut as Rays beat Cardinals 10-6

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Carson Williams hit a two-run homer in his major league debut, All-Star Junior Caminero hit his 36th longball and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the St. Louis Cardinals 10-6 on Friday night.

Williams' drive to center in the seventh inning made it 9-6 and set off a raucous celebration by his family in the stands. He also had an RBI infield single in the third. The 22-year-old shortstop was the Rays' top-rated prospect when he was called up on Thursday.

Brandon Lowe and Tristan Gray also homered for the Rays, and Jake Mangum had three hits and two RBIs.

Rookie Nathan Church hit a two-run homer for the Cardinals in the seventh for his first career hit. Willson Contreras hit a two-run drive later in the inning to get St. Louis within 7-6.

Williams reached on a second-inning throwing error by Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman, who has five errors this month. The rookie's first hit came on a grounder that Gorman couldn't handle.

Adrian Houser (7-4) allowed four runs over 6 1/3 innings for the Rays. The Cardinals' Miles Mikolas (6-10) gave up 10 hits and five runs (four earned) in 2 2/3 innings.

Lowe's homer off Mikolas was his 25th, and Gray's was his first.

Williams was picked off after his infield hit in the third that made it 4-1, but Bob Seymour followed with an RBI single and Gray walked to end Mikolas' night.

Caminero's 36 homers rank sixth in the majors. The 22-year-old is playing his first full season.

The teams get a rare Saturday off before concluding their series Sunday. Mathew Liberatore (6-10, 4.13 ERA) is slated to start for the Cardinals against the Rays' Ryan Pepiot (8-10, 3.95).

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Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Carson Williams throws out St. Louis Cardinals' Thomas Saggese at first base during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays' Tristan Gray points into the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays' Carson Williams reacts after his two-run home run off St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Fernandez during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays' Carson Williams watches his two-run home run off St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Fernandez during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays' Carson Williams celebrates in the dugout after his two-run home run off St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Fernandez during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

DENVER (AP) — Versatile infielder/outfielder Willi Castro and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $12.8 million, two-year deal Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

Castro spent last season with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .226 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs. He played all three outfield spots last season in addition to seeing time at third and shortstop. He even pitched an inning while with the Twins.

The 28-year-old Castro made his major league debut on Aug. 24, 2019, while with Detroit. He spent four seasons with the Tigers before joining the Twins, where he was an All-Star in 2024. He was traded to the Cubs last July.

Earlier in the day, the Rockies finalized the signing of right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen to an $8 million, one-year contract. The deal includes a $9 million club option for 2027. Right-hander Bradley Blalock was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.

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FILE - Chicago Cubs' Willi Castro (1) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)